“Damn, broken ribs and
who knows what the extent of the internal injuries was.” JJ knew she
couldn’t take another beating but unless the others found them soon, that’s
exactly what would be happening.

“What are you doing JJ?”
Jane pain filled whisper caught her attention.  Putting the shirt back down, “nothing Jane.”
Lying down next to her, she tried to make her comfortable by elevating her head
slightly with the jacket she took off.
“Thanks JJ”

“Sleep Jane, it’ll be okay.”

Lying there she could only pray, “Come on Emily, guys, figure it out, please,” looking at Jane who
had finally succumbed to the pain, “she
can’t take much more Em, she’s like you, she’ll die before she lets them hurt
me, don’t let her die. I love you”

Chapter 11

It had been four hours since they had been taken.  Morgan walked out of the emergency room and
looked for Hotch, rubbing at his head, he scratched around the bandage they had
placed there.  The staples were
unpleasant, it had taken six to close the gash in his head and he refused any
painkillers much to the nurse’s chagrin.
Yes it hurt but he wanted to feel that pain right now, it reminded him
of how he had fucked up yet again.

Turning the corner, he pulled up short when he saw Emily
waiting for him instead of Hotch.
Leaning against a wall of the waiting room, she was biting at her
fingernails when he approached.

“Hey.” He said quietly.

“You okay?” she said brusquely, she knew he was feeling
guilty but she didn’t feel any sympathy right now.  Her nerves were on edge imagining what the
Rodriguez men were doing to JJ and Jane, and right now, she couldn’t help but
blame him.

“Yeah, I’m fine.  Have
we heard anything yet?”

“No.” that word alone told him how she was feeling toward
him.

“Prentiss…Emily, I’m sorry…I” he tried to explain himself
but she cut him off.

“Leave it Morgan…I can’t right now…” she knew she sounded
harsh but she couldn’t help herself right now, “not now Derek…we need to get
back to the station.” Turning her back on him she quickly walked out of the
emergency room.

Dejected, Morgan followed, knowing he had a lot to make up
for.  The pounding in his head a reminder
of his failure to protect his friend.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

“Come on pumpkin, give me a smile,” the cajoling tone made
Maura look up.